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The medical team on Shortland St have been given a new mission - bring back Buck.
Former All Black skipper Wayne "Buck" Shelford is to star on the soap this month as a heart-attack patient stranded in a lift.
The 49-year-old, who is being treated for cancer, will play himself in the hour-long episode on TV2 on July 23.
Shelford, who captained the All Blacks from 1987 to 1990, said yesterday that he wasn't nervous during the taping, which took place several months ago.
"It was different," he said. "I did have limited lines. It was a bit of fun. We know it's just make-believe, don't we?"
Shelford, who said he wouldn't be pursuing a career in acting, has been receiving treatment for lymphoma - a cancer affecting white blood cells.
Shortland Street publicist Rachael Keereweer said yesterday: "He got through his scenes really, really quickly, which was good. Obviously he had to act like he was having a cardiac arrest and things like that, so there were a few medical things he was having to deal with and he did really well."
She said the part was written for an ex-All Black and Shelford put his hand up after the word was put out.
"It's an action-packed episode."
